Since Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw returned to the big-league team a couple of days ago, the third base problem has been tabled for the moment. It only seems like hours ago that some suggested Rockies Ryan McMahon might be a suitable solution. They’d definitely be buying low based on his subpar numbers.
Earlier today I witnessed the Cubs-Rockies series opener with friend David and 40,169 of our closest friends. A weekend afternoon at Wrigley is unlike any other ML experience-even if I didn’t fully partake in the pre- or post-game revelry. Like it or not, the neighborhood and all of the entertainment options play a big part in the overall experience. If you are a lifelong Cubs fan, you likely have a pregame ritual which one shares with friends and visitors. Over the years, I’ve tried to mix things up a bit, but I often default to sentimental favorites. The options for imbibing and noshing are endless, but differentiating between like competitors is difficult.
The pregame vibe around the ballpark was electric although the opponent or their fanbase had little to do with it. Entering the game, Colorado had the worst record and might challenge the 24 White Sox for worst in league history.
After grabbing a much-needed beverage from an old favorite, David and I headed over to the Gallagher Way entrance. Creating this space adjacent to the ballpark was brilliant piece of sales and brand management. And after some difficulty loading my digital ticket we strolled through the park on our way to our shaded seats down the right field line. Great sight line.
For the first time in years, I was sandwiched between two strangers keeping meticulous score and when I say “sandwiched”, we weren’t moving. Given their atrocious record and the back of their starting pitcher’s baseball card, I expected a profusion of runs.
Carson Palmquist (not making this up) was making his third ML start. The first two did not go well, 8.1 inning pitched, 2 K’s, 16 hits allowed and an 11.88 ERA. Cutting to the chase, he pitched very well but was plagued by walks. In five innings, he only surrendered 3 hits. Two of the three walks he allowed scored though. Ordinarily, that would be good enough for a win. However, the Cubs starter Jameson Taillon was better. He retired the first fourteen batters lickety split and only wobbled when Mickey Moniak smoked a two-out homer to right-center in the top of the 5th to tie the game at one. The Cubs responded in the bottom of the inning when Kyle Tucker singled in Shaw who walked to lead off the inning. He was sacrificed to second on a nice bunt by Sunday’s hero, Reese McGuire. Some may question Counsell’s choice to bunt, but it definitely kept the Cubs out of the double play. Taillon exited after 6.1 innings and after escaping a bit of a jam in the 6th. Nico Hoerner made a nice play nailing Jacob Stallings at the plate. Taillon finished the day with 7 strikeouts and no walks in 6.1 innings of one-run ball (and the lead).
The Cubs tacked on a third run in the bottom of the 7th on the “funky play of the game.” Editor’s note: I missed most of the early postgame on the radio but assume the following play was given this honor.
With one out and the bases loaded with Cubs, Kyle Tucker hit a ball to medium left field. It looked like a routine fly ball until left “fielder” dropped the ball while transferring it to his throwing hand. From our seats and how everyone reacted it was hard to tell if he actually caught the ball. Shaw who was on third via his second base on balls, scored easily. And because the three (actually four) blind mice were slow to act, the remaining baserunners and Tucker were staggering around. Eventually, they ruled (correctly) that Tucker was out, and the baserunners were safe. What made it so infuriating was the eventual broadcast call by one of the umps. His diction reminded me of the adults in Peanuts television specials. And despite all the technology and video in the ballpark, they never showed a replay on the video board. It was almost as if the Motorola logo on their sleeve really stood for morons.
Four Cub relievers combined for 2.2 innings of shutout relief. Flame-throwing Daniel Palencia ended the game with a 100-mph fastball that Moniak wouldn’t have touched in a thousand years.
The far superior Cubs won 3-1 on a beautiful, but breezy Monday afternoon and Ryan McMahon failed part one of his screen test.
